According to a spokesman: “Locate was a global online registration database for people living abroad, or travelling abroad allowing them to leave contact details as well as next of kin details for use in case of emergency.”

However, he said: “The concept of registering with the FCO just in case of an emergency has not proven popular with the British public and does not provide an accurate picture of British nationals abroad.

“Approximately one per cent of people abroad actually register. It is therefore not proving an effective part of our crisis response and actually diverts our resources in a crisis. The decision to switch off Locate is part of a broader programme of work to make our crisis response the best in the world.”

The spokesman added: “The FCO is moving from a system where British nationals are encouraged to register when they travel in case there is a crisis, to one where we are using a number of channels to give them the latest information and advice on what they should do if they need our help."

He said that increased resources have been allocated to the FCO's crisis hotline and response teams. Expats are also being encouraged to sign up for country-specific travel advice updates via email, and to follow the FCO on Twitter and Facebook.

Around 125 of the FCO’s overseas posts have Facebook pages, and more than 100 have Twitter accounts that are used to communicate changes to travel advice.